/ Death of a sheep.

We were out above the Newlands valley today, and unfortunately saw a Herdwick take a nasty fall due to an over keen sheepdog. This isn't really to discuss poor shepherding skills, but I was surprised at how quickly the sheep gathered momentum.

It was on the north flank of Ard Crags, but before the really craggy bit. Maybe a 45 degree grassy slope, with a few rock steps. The sort of slope you'd think was a stiff pull up, but nothing that you'd consider particularly bad ground. After the first couple of rolls the somersaults became massively bigger, until the sheep came to rest. Sobering stuff considering the relatively shallow slope.

In reply to highclimber:
I took a big fall (50-70 foot) off the forcan Ridge once, also did a few somersaults off the cliff before bouncing through about 150 foot of scree. It hurt a bit. Wouldn't recommend it as a descent method.

I can remember telling my venture scouts to keep low and if you think you are going over try to spread yourself out and try to slide. I never really knew why until I saw someone go bouncing down a slope, fortunately he survived but he was in a very bad way with multiple fractures, internal bleeding and stuff. Unfortunately sheep are basically round and can't spreadeagle themselves to try and slide. Bit of a design flaw really.